Ireland today

Today sees the final flat meeting on turf of 2010 in Ireland at Leopardstown (from now on there is only all-weather racing at Dundalk), while a good jumps card is scheduled for Cork (assuming the track passes an inspection). Two listed races feature on the Leopardstown card, a 7 furlongs race at 15.10 CET and a 2yo race over 9 furlongs at 15.45. Neither seem very strong, and we hope that Libano (Keagan Latham) can repeat his 2009 victory in the former event, in which he is one of 3 Dermot Weld entries. There are only 5 runners in the 2yo race and Obligation (Aidan O´Brien/ Seamus Heffernan), though probably far from the best juvenile in his powerful stable that has taken this event 7 times already this century, can oblige. The big betting race is the November Handicap over 2 miles at 16.15 with 21 runners. The interesting one here is Pittoni (Charlie Byrnes/ Kevin Manning), who was banned from running for 42 days after his last eye-catching run. Top-weight Majestic Con corde (Weld/ Liam Roche) has a touch of class and rates a big danger.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Asheerah - Manieree - Wonder Of Wonders
2. Race: Giants Serapis - Diogenes - Saqil
3. Race: Eagle Canyon - Nucals Star - Deire Na Sli
4. Race: Luisant - Stunning View - Croisultan
5. Race: Obligation - Banksters Bonus - Tiz The Shot
6. Race: What A Charm - Pittoni - Baron De`L
7. Race: Waydownsouth - Hawkhill - Super Say
8. Race: Dark Prospect - Saajidah - Prospectorous




At Cork, the Grade 3 novice chase over 2 1/2 miles at 16.25 can go to Muirhead (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry), who was the best of these over hurdles. He receives weight from the smart Beau Micheal (Adrian McGuinness/ Barry Geraghty), who has already won 5 times this year. The Grade 3 novice hurdle at 14.45 has only 5 runners but still looks quite tricky. Tom Hogan has two good chances here with last-time-out-winners Mount Helicon (Joe Cullen) and Moon over Moscow (Ruby Walsh), but the problem here is that none of the runners has form over today´s distance of 3 miles. The big betting race here is the Cork Grand National over 3 1/2 miles at 15.20, but the field looks rather sub-standard. Miss Mitch (Pat Fahy/ Davy Russell), previously with the Alners, has been running in better events but has a big weight here and we prefer the very lightly-weighted Sigma Lifestyle (Meade/ Davy Condon).

Later: Cork goes head after early morning inspection

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Magical Memoir - Silas Mariner - Caracal
2. Race: Mount Helicon - Original Option - Tango Knight
3. Race: Sigma Lifestyle - Streets Of Gold - Operation Houdini
4. Race: Dare To Doubt - Model County Lass - Knockraha Lad
5. Race: Farringdon - Muirhead - Beau Michael
6. Race: Lea Lady - Special Token - Corrick Bridge
7. Race: Valleymount - Thieving Gypsy - Quiet Thought